Denmark's Jeppe Borch and Sweden's Oskar Engström each scored five wins from six matches as the 2026 Bermuda Gold Cup opened in Hamilton Harbour on Wednesday (14 October).
The Scandinavian skippers lead the 12-team fleet at the penultimate event of the 2026 World Match Racing Tour, with France's Aurélien Pierroz and Britain's Christian Hamilton sharing third place on four victories.
Racing took place in light, shifting winds aboard the new Fareast 28R keelboats, which have replaced the traditional International One Design fleet. The boats have been modified with symmetric spinnakers for match racing.
“The conditions were tricky and the wind shifts were all over the place, so it was anyone's game,” said Borch, who is returning to Bermuda after a two-year absence.
“I don't think any of the teams here have yet perfected the new boats with the symmetric set ups, so we can all improve this week.”
New Boats and Familiar Contenders
The change of boats was a central feature of the build-up to this year's Bermuda Gold Cup, with Sweden's Johnie Berntsson returning to defend the title following his third consecutive Gold Cup victory in 2025.
The World Match Racing Tour also visited Irish waters recently when French skipper Tom Foucher won the Dublin Match Cup, defeating National Yacht Club sailor Ruairí Finnegan in the final.
Quarter-Final Battle Takes Shape
Pierroz impressed on his Gold Cup debut but was involved in a disputed finish against American skipper Chris Poole, who questioned an umpire decision after the French boat completed a penalty turn.
Poole finished with three victories, level with Berntsson and France's Pauline Courtois.
The top four teams will qualify directly for the quarter-finals, with eight flights and 32 matches remaining in the round-robin stage.
Racing continues on Thursday (15 October), with the teams competing for the historic King Edward VII Gold Cup.
Full Bermuda Gold Cup results are available from the World Match Racing Tour.
